EC approves re-polling in 12 booths of Inner Manipur LS seat

Our correspondent Imphal, April 22 (PTI): The Election Commission has approved re-polling in 12 booths of Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency under four assembly constituencies, where the voting process was disrupted or stalled during the second phase on April 18. Noting that the polling undertaken in these 12 booths has been declared "void" by the EC, Chief Electoral Officer PK Singh on Monday said that fresh elections will be held on April 24 amid enhanced security arrangements from 7am till 4pm. He asked the polling agents to take necessary measures to ensure free and fair polls. "There will be arrangements for webcasting and CCTV coverage both outside and inside the polling stations. The police department will provide adequate security arrangements for fresh polls," CEO said. Re-polling was necessitated in the 12 booths, five of which come under Chief Minister N Biren Singh's home constituency Heingang, after multiple complaints of EVM rigging and booth capture were registered with the state election office. The polling stations which have been announced for re-poll are Heingang assembly constituency 2/26 Heingang Makha leikai, 2/31 Kairang Muslim Mayai Leikai, 2/23 Heingang Mayai Leikai(A), 2/32 Kairang Muslim Mamang Leikai, 2/33 Kairang Khunou Chingyai Leikai, Thongju Assembly Constituency's 5/32 Khongman zone-V(B), Andro Assembly Constituency's 7/32 Yambem (C)Primary School and 7/39 Nungbrang Primary School and Keirao Assembly Constituency's 6/6 KyamgeiMamang Leikai, 6/20 Urup Muslim, 6/10 Kyamgei Muslim (South-A) and 6/35 Thiyam Konjil High School (South Wing). Violence had broken out in two polling stations of Kiyamgei Muslim locality in Imphal East district, stalling the voting process. In one of the stations, a group of miscreants broke EVMs and VVPATs, while in the other, a scuffle broke out between the election agents. The opposition Congress had demanded re-polling in multiple booths of the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat, including the ones in Heingang assembly segment, alleging malpractices and rampant proxy voting. Manipur has two parliamentary seats, one of which went to polls on April 11 and the other on April 18.